Abstract: The patient data information system of the present invention integrates patient image data and patient textual data and provides a method for patient data creation, maintenance and retrieval. The patient data information system comprises a display unit coupled to a workstation with the workstation configured to operate a first software application which is configured to display patient images for a patient on the display unit. The workstation also is configured to work a second software application. When the first software application is configured to generate a patient context for the patient being treated and provide the patient context to the second software application and display patient data from the second software application based on the patient context. The first software application retrieves patient image data from a Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS).

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a data management system for patient data includes a first component, a second component, and a container application. The first component has a functionality code segment and a user interface code segment. The second component has a functionality code segment and a user interface code segment. The container application has a first user interface layer in communication with the first component and a second user interface layer in communication with the second component. The first and second user interface layers are configured to communicate patient data between the functionality code segments of the first and second components, respectively, and a user interface.

Abstract: A method for integrating a picture archiving and communication system (“PACS”) and a voice dictating or speech recognition system (collectively “voice dictation system”) is provided. The method includes logging in to a PACS. The method also includes automatically logging in to a voice dictation system responsive to the logging in step and opening an image file in the PACS. The integration method further includes automatically creating a dictation file associated with the image file in the voice dictation system responsive to at least one of the logging in step, the automatic logging in step or the opening step. The method may optionally include sending a predetermined identifier to the dictation file to associate the image file with the dictation file. The method may additionally optionally include performing the automatic logging in step responsive to the PACS being in a dictation mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing fully integrated information processing, management and communication functions in a fully integrated RIS-PACS system for a radiology department/healthcare environment by employing brokerless interface methods to synchronize patient and exam data entities in a radiology information system (RIS) database and a picture archive and communication system (PACS) database within the RIS-PACS system and to generate direct database calls to the RIS and PACS databases. The running of RIS and PACS applications within the RIS-PACS system is initiated from client workstations over a web interface. Information from the databases is accessed by the client workstations. Also, the system may communicate between internal PACS applications and an external RIS system over a HL7-based interface or between internal RIS applications and an external PACS system over a standard medical communications interface such as HL7 and DICOM.

Abstract: An image handling system configured to provide configurable user preferences is disclosed herein. The image handling system includes an imaging device, an image manager, and an image workstation. The system is configured to permit a user of the image workstation to specify user preferences of a graphical user interface (GUI). The user preferences are stored in the image manager such that subsequent access to the image workstation using a user identifier causes the image workstation to automatically retrieve and configure the user preferences on that image workstation.